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Spalletti reveals Totti snub

By Nadia Carminati

Luciano Spalletti says Francesco Totti will definitely not return for Italy until 2007.

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti has revealed that Francesco Totti has definitively stated he will not be available for Italy until 2007.

The Giallorossi captain had originally taken the decision after discussions with Azzurri chief Roberto Donadoni in August, in a bid to return to full fitness after a serious injury he sustained in February.

The forward was able to play in the World Cup finals as Italy&nbsp;emerged triumphant in Germany, and Donadoni reignited the debate over his international future by hinting he was hoping Totti would return for the upcoming games against Ukraine and Georgia.

However, Roma coach Spalletti says the national boss has now informed him Totti will not be returning before 2007, after the player met Donadoni at Giallorossi's headquarters on Monday.

"I've spoken with Donadoni and he confirmed this to me," Spalletti told Sky Italia.

"For the moment Totti won't come back with the national team.

"He has ankle problems and he's managing himself in a certain way, he is taking a lot of care.

"Francesco fears he will not be able to give what he can to the national team."